Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, May 26: A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1 linked to a surge of infections in China has been detected at multiple US airports through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) screening programme.

The variant, part of the JN.1 group, was identified in international travelers arriving at airports in Washington state, California, Virginia, and the New York City area between April 22 and May 12. Cases have also been reported independently in states such as Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii.

Global data from GISAID shows that most NB.1.8.1 cases have originated from travelers coming from Japan, South Korea, France, China, and other countries.

While the CDC is closely monitoring the new variant, early findings suggest it spreads more easily than others but does not appear to cause more severe illness. Vaccines currently in use reportedly remain effective against it.

“CDC is aware of reported cases of COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 in China and is in regular contact with international partners,” said a CDC spokesperson. However, in a separate statement to Fox News Digital, the agency confirmed that fewer than 20 sequences of the variant have been identified in US baseline surveillance, which is below the threshold for it to appear on the official COVID Data Tracker.

Health officials are also keeping tabs on another emerging variant, XFC, which is showing steady growth within the US. Experts warn that while COVID-19 trends in the country have stabilized to a pattern of two annual surges—in summer and winter—the virus's evolution remains unpredictable.

The CDC also reported that COVID-19 continues to claim an average of 350 lives per week in the US. Though this is far lower than the peak death rate of nearly 26,000 per week in January 2021, it underscores ongoing concerns tied to low vaccination rates, waning immunity, and limited access to treatments.